DARE

dare

1. To have the courage required for: The gymnast dared a breathtakingly difficult move.

2. To challenge (someone) to do something requiring boldness: They dared me to dive off the high board.

3. To confront boldly; brave: dared the dizzying heights of the mountain. See Synonyms at defy.

v.intr.

To be courageous or bold enough to do or try something: Go ahead and dive if you dare.

v.aux.

To be courageous or bold enough to: I dare not say. How dare she go?

n.

An act of daring; a challenge.

[Middle English daren, from Old English dearr, first and third person sing. present indicative of durran, to venture, dare; see dhers- in Indo-European roots.]

dar′er n.

Usage Note: Depending on its sense, the verb dare sometimes behaves like an auxiliary verb (such as can or may) and sometimes like a main verb (such as want or try). When used as an auxiliary verb, dare does not change to agree with its subject: He dare not do that again. It also does not combine with do in questions, negations, or certain other constructions: Dare we tell her the truth? I dare not mention their names. Finally, it does not take to before the verb that follows it: If you dare breathe a word about it, I'll never speak to you again. When used as a main verb, dare does agree with its subject (If he dares to show up at her house I'll be surprised), and it does combine with do (Did anyone dare to admit it?). It may optionally take to before the verb following it: No one dares (or dares to) speak freely about the political situation. The auxiliary forms differ subtly in meaning from the main verb forms in that they emphasize the attitude or involvement of the speaker while the main verb forms present a more objective situation. Thus How dare you operate this machinery without proper training? expresses indignation at the action, whereas How do you dare to operate this machinery without proper training? is a genuine request for information. When dare is used as a transitive verb meaning "challenge," only main verb forms are possible and to is required: Anyone who dares him to attempt it will be sorry.

dare

(dɛə)

vb

1. (tr) to challenge (a person to do something) as proof of courage

2. (can take an infinitive with or without to) to be courageous enough to try (to do something): she dares to dress differently from the others; you wouldn't dare!.

3. (tr) rare to oppose without fear; defy

4. I dare say I daresay

a. (it is) quite possible (that)

b. probably: used as sentence substitute

n

5. a challenge to do something as proof of courage

6. something done in response to such a challenge

[Old English durran; related to Old High German turran to venture]

ˈdarern

Usage: When used negatively or interrogatively, dare does not usually add -s: he dare not come; dare she come? When used negatively in the past tense, however, dare usually adds -d: he dared not come

dare

(dɛər)

v. dared,daring;pres. sing. 3rd pers.daresdare,v.i.

1. to have the necessary courage or boldness for something; be bold enough: You wouldn't dare!

v.t.

2. to have the boldness to try; venture; hazard.

3. to meet defiantly; face courageously.

4. to challenge or provoke (a person) into a demonstration of courage: I dare you to climb that.

auxiliary v.

5. to have the necessary courage or boldness to (used chiefly in questions and negatives): How dare you speak to me like that? He dare not mention the subject again.

act, move - perform an action, or work out or perform (an action); "think before you act"; "We must move quickly"; "The governor should act on the new energy bill"; "The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel"

2.

dare - to be courageous enough to try or do something; "I don't dare call him", "she dares to dress differently from the others"

act, move - perform an action, or work out or perform (an action); "think before you act"; "We must move quickly"; "The governor should act on the new energy bill"; "The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel"

Then, he thought, how soon he 'd turn his back upon the old schoolhouse; snap his fingers in the face of Hans Van Ripper, and every other niggardly patron, and kick any itinerant pedagogue out of doors that should dare to call him comrade!

Through all his unearthly tattooings, I thought I saw the traces of a simple honest heart; and in his large, deep eyes, fiery black and bold, there seemed tokens of a spirit that would dare a thousand devils.

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